South Carolina S 1181: Melinda Pounder

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 1181 Text of Previous Version (May. 14, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 1181

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MELINDA POUNDER OF JENNIE 
MOORE ELEMENTARY IN MOUNT PLEASANT AND TO CONGRATULATE HER UPON BEING CHOSEN AS 
AN EXTRA ORDINARY EDUCATOR BY CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that Curriculum Associates has 
named Melinda Pounder to its nationwide 2026 class of Extraordinary Educators; 
and

Whereas, the 
Extraordinary Educators award recognizes educators who exhibit best-in-class 
use of i-Ready and/or Ready and who illustrate growth and achievement via 
formal assessments, demonstrate innovation and engagement practices for 
students, are evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and have 
been teaching for at least two years; and

Whereas, now in her 
fourteenth year of teaching, Ms. Pounder teaches at Jennie Moore Elementary 
School in Mount Pleasant; and

Whereas, in addition to 
her classroom duties, Ms. Pounder serves as grade-level lead and as a member of 
the School Improvement Council, where she facilitates team meetings, 
coordinates curriculum planning, and supports colleagues in implementing best 
practices; and

Whereas, Ms. Pounder 
earned a master's degree in educational leadership from The Citadel, where she 
developed her expertise in data analysis and equity-focused strategies to 
promote student growth; and

Whereas, beyond the 
classroom, Ms. Pounder enjoys spending time with her elementary-aged children, 
drawing inspiration from them to remain personally invested in the success of 
her students and school community; and

Whereas, Melinda is 
guided by the principle of creating equity for her students by identifying 
potential barriers, providing targeted support, and personalizing instruction 
to meet each student's specific needs. By using data alongside a deep 
understanding of her students, she advocates for their success through her 
leadership position and fosters an inclusive classroom environment in which all 
students can thrive; and

Whereas, founded in 
1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC, designs research-based print and online 
instructional materials, assessments, and data-management tools. Today, the 
company's programs are used in three-quarters of the state's school districts; 
and

Whereas, the annual 
program celebrates and connects exemplary teachers from around the country. 
This year's recipients are among twenty-five teachers from thirteen states 
chosen for this honor; and

Whereas, Ms. Pounder 
will have access to a network of peers across the country with whom she can 
collaborate and connect and from whom she can learn throughout 2026. She will 
also receive unique professional development opportunities from Curriculum 
Associates. Along with other honorees, she will be invited to participate and 
present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit, as well as other 
professional learning events throughout the year; and

Whereas, the General 
Assembly is deeply grateful to the fine cadre of teachers across the Palmetto 
State who, like Melinda Pounder, exemplify excellence in educating our young 
people. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the 
Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the 
South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor 
Melinda Pounder of Jennie Moore Elementary in Mount Pleasant and congratulate 
her upon being chosen as an Extraordinary Educator by Curriculum Associates.

Be it further resolved that 
a copy of this resolution be presented to Melinda Pounder.

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This web page was last updated on May 14, 2026 at 01:54 PM